A 27-year-old male using Minoxidil, Finasteride, and dermarolling for hair loss shared blood test results and experienced side effects with Finasteride. Adjusting the Finasteride dosage helped reduce side effects.
The conversation is about whether Saw Palmetto, which has similar but less potent effects to Finasteride, could cause the same side effects due to lowering DHT levels. The user is considering oral Saw Palmetto as an alternative to Finasteride for hair loss treatment.
The conversation concludes that finasteride, a 5α-Reductase inhibitor used for hair loss, does not impair cognition either short-term or long-term. It suggests "brain fog" is not caused by the medication.
Switching from topical to oral minoxidil and dutasteride led to severe hair thinning and shedding, with no side effects. The user is unsure if this is a temporary shedding phase or if oral minoxidil is less effective.
Combining finasteride with dutasteride may have additive benefits for reducing scalp DHT, but the extent is unknown. Some users report less shedding when using both treatments, with variations in dosage and application methods.
The conversation discusses the need for a localized 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that only affects the scalp without systemic side effects, similar to pyrilutamide's approach. Current treatments like topical liposomal finasteride and dutasteride are mentioned, but concerns about their systemic effects and lack of research are highlighted.
Topical tretinoin can increase the absorption of minoxidil by three times, which may enhance its effectiveness for hair loss treatment. Tretinoin causes increased skin turnover, making the skin more permeable and potentially improving minoxidil's efficacy.
The conversation discusses increasing the dose of oral minoxidil from 2.5mg to 5mg for better hair density, with concerns about potential side effects like heart rate changes and fluid retention. Users suggest consulting a doctor, considering individual tolerance, and exploring other treatments like dutasteride.
Finasteride and dutasteride are discussed for hair loss, with concerns about their effects on neurosteroids and potential side effects like depression. Alternatives like topical estrogen and lifestyle changes are considered, with varying opinions on mental health and hair regrowth.
People with diffuse thinning and retrograde hair loss are discussing treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride, with some reporting improvements and others experiencing issues like scalp inflammation and increased sebum. Suggestions include addressing scalp inflammation, considering gut health, and possibly using topical antiandrogens or micro-needling.
The user has been taking oral Minoxidil (1.25mg/day) for two weeks to treat hair loss, has experienced no side effects, and plans to increase the dose to 2.5mg/day after another two weeks. They are also monitoring their blood pressure and have not noticed any negative interactions with their pre-workout supplements.
A physician experienced hair thickening and new growth using microneedling and minoxidil, but stopped using topical finasteride due to side effects like reduced libido and erectile dysfunction. The physician plans to continue with microneedling and minoxidil, considering finasteride nonessential for cosmetic purposes.
Minoxidil use led to unwanted hair growth, but stopping the treatment was not an option due to positive effects on hairline growth. Reducing the dose and using salicylic acid were considered to manage side effects.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is discussed as a potential treatment for androgenic alopecia due to its ability to reverse hypoxia and promote angiogenesis. The conversation explores its potential benefits for hair loss, though no studies have been conducted on this application yet.
The conversation discusses using topical finasteride with propylene glycol, which causes scalp dryness or dandruff. The user also uses Nizoral, Nioxin, and DHT oil, and considers using a scalp conditioner to alleviate dryness.
A user shared their 5-month experience using topical finasteride for hair loss, noting side effects like watery semen and puffy nipples, which led them to stop the treatment. They saw no significant hair improvement and have since switched to using minoxidil.
Topical finasteride as a potential alternative to oral finasteride for reducing DHT levels on the scalp with fewer side effects, and other hair loss treatments such as minoxidil.
Microneedling stimulates hair growth through stem cell activation during wound healing, not just increased blood flow. Other methods like showers or supplements don't replicate this effect.
Finasteride may seem less effective over time due to increased DHT sensitivity or aging, but it still suppresses DHT. Switching to dutasteride offers stronger DHT suppression but may increase estrogen levels.
The user is experiencing scalp irritation from a compounded treatment of finasteride, minoxidil, and tretinoin. They are considering switching to a non-alcohol, propylene glycol-free formula with a lower tretinoin percentage to reduce irritation.
High-dose oral minoxidil (>5 mg/day) can increase hair density in some men with androgenetic alopecia, but side effects like extra body hair and heart issues are common. Gradual dose increase is advised, but adverse effects may lead to discontinuation or dose adjustments.
Finasteride users report reduced libido and increased hair shedding initially, but some see these as temporary or manageable side effects. Vitamin E and D-3 supplements are discussed as potential aids for libido and mood.
The user has been using finasteride successfully to stop hair shedding and is considering using topical minoxidil for regrowth but is concerned about being a non-responder and potential negative effects. They are cautious about using oral minoxidil due to past heart issues and are exploring other methods like tretinoin cream and dermarolling, though they worry about possible skin damage.
The conversation discusses topical androgen receptor blockers for hair loss, mentioning Clascoterone, Pyrilutamide, GT20029, and RU58841. Ketoconazole's effectiveness and application methods are also debated.
The user is experiencing severe side effects from finasteride, including sleep issues, depression, and gynecomastia, and is considering stopping the medication. They are exploring other treatments like RU58841 and dutasteride but are hesitant due to potential side effects.
The user is considering switching from oral to topical minoxidil due to lack of improvement and side effects, while continuing with dutasteride or finasteride. They seek advice from others with diffuse thinning.
Finasteride's effectiveness and side effects may vary based on male phenotypes, with some users noting differences in response related to body and facial hair characteristics. Some users report success with lower doses, while others experience side effects, suggesting individual variability in response to the treatment.
The conversation discusses hair loss treatments, focusing on the use of Minoxidil, finasteride, and triamcinolone. Concerns are raised about high concentrations of Minoxidil and the long-term use of corticosteroids.
A female user is considering using RU58841 with minoxidil 2.5% to reduce side effects like facial hair from minoxidil 5%, while also using copper peptides and a hair serum. Other users discuss alternative treatments like spironolactone, alfatradiol, and the side effects of finasteride.
The user stopped finasteride due to testicular aches and switched to minoxidil, seeing positive results in three months. They are considering topical finasteride but are cautious because of past side effects from oral use.